Monthly Archives: December 2006

100 Ways to Make a Difference

We are all consumed with our busy lives simply trying to make a living and find some pleasure in between while often feeling overwhelmed and helpless from the continuous sad news about diseases, famine, violence, social injustice, natural catastrophes, toxic health risks and the deterioration of the environment around us. So we try to forget, push the issues out of our mind and not address them—at least until a problem becomes a crisis. Our tendency to be reactive instead of proactive is all too common but it can be dangerous, if not downright self-destructive—there is a better way.

In the interest of self-preservation and the preservation of our own species we can all try to make smart choices everyday based on their consequences on our environment. We must change many of our habits, starting with some simple daily decisions, if we’re to protect and restore our shared environment. Surprisingly, most changes will save us money and help create a healthier environment for all of us to live in. Can I get a “Yes We Can!“? Continue reading →

The Society for Conservation Biology is an excellent organization and their publications are top notch. I highly encourage those of you unfamiliar with them to check out their work.

The Trial

I once asked the students in my introductory environmental studies class to assume they were the attorneys representing Homo sapiens before a Congress of all Beings as once described by Joanna Macy and Jonathan Seed.*

If you’re one of those people, like me, who have so much “stuff” that you really don’t want or need anything for Christmas, ask your friends and family to support a good cause in your name. MarineBio.org is a nonprofit organization that you can support with tax-exempt donations. A gift to us would help us cover our increasing hosting and development costs, and would greatly help us get more species launched and more content online. When you consider that MB reaches more than 300,000 people each month, you can be certain that you are making a difference when you make a donation to MarineBio.org. You’re helping us show and teach people about the wonders of the ocean and marine life so that they can develop a strong appreciation and desire to protect it. Continue reading →

Monterey Bay Aquarium has an excellent library of resources available on its website to help you get on board with the sustainable seafood movement through its Seafood Watch Program. They offer a variety of multimedia training materials including a DVD Seafood Watch Training Presentation and other materials that you can use to help educate your friends and colleagues about marine conservation and the importance of sustainable seafood.

This time of year is an excellent opportunity to spread the word as you gather with friends and family over the holidays. Use your holiday menus as an opportunity to prepare dishes with sustainability in mind. Your buffet can serve as a visual aid! Continue reading →